Container



May 22, 1928.

F. J. SPIEGLER CONTAINER Filed Jan. 50, 1928 Fatented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES 'FREDERICK J. SPIEGLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.-

CONTAINER.

Application filed January 30, 1928. Serial No. 250,389.

This invention. relates to improvements in containers, and more especially to improved means for holding thelid of a container in position.

My invention is particularly applicable to containers used in. shipmentwhere they are exposed to a. considerable amount of hall'- dling. I provide simple and etlicient means for locking -or holding the lid'in position, said means remaining effective even though the container 'is handled roughly or thrown about into different positions. Although my improved mechanism holds the lid securely in place during shipment, it may readily be released when desired.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of lid-holding means that do not project above the top of the container, thus permitting a plurality of containers to be stacked. This is especially desirable in shipping large quantities of such containers where it is frequently necessary to pack the same on one another inorder to economize in space.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed.

with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective, Fig. 2 is a View taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a part of the latching mechanism, Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views of the latching mechanism, and Fig. 6 is a top plan view.

As shown in the drawings, 10 indicates a substantially rectangular container made of sheet metal or other suitable material provided with an ordinary flat lid 11. 12 in dicates a locking bar hinged at the left hand end, (viewed in Fig. 2). The hinged joint is loose enough to permit the bar 12 to be raised and also to permit a slight sliding movement of the free end to one side as shown in Fig. 6 by the broken lines. The hinged connection may be of any suitable form. I have here shown this end of the bar bent downwardly as indicated by 12 and then inwardly as indicated by 12 The projecting end 12 is inserted through a slot 13 in the vertical member 14 attached to the.

edge of the container 10 by means of the rivet 15.

I shall now describe the latching mechanism for securing the other or free end of the locking bar 12. As shown in Fig. 4 this end of the bar 12 is bent downwardly as indicated by 12, thence outwardly as indicated by 12, thence upwardly, outwardly, downwardly and inwardly indicated by 12 12', 12 and 12 respectively, to form virtually a square tube with an opening 16 therein.

Mounted on the wall of the container 10 bymeans of the rivets 17 is a co-operating latch member preferably formed of sheet metal projecting outwardly as indicated by 18 and thence bent upwardly, inwardly and downwardly as indicated respectively by 18*, 18 and 18. It will be seen that the outer end of the part 18 is similarly formed into a substantiallysquare tube but since the (le pending bar 18 does not extend all. the way to the part 18, such tubeis provided with an opening as indicated by 19. The square tube at the end of the locking bar formed by the parts 12, 12 12 and l2 is small enough to slip inside of the tube formed by the surfaces 18, 18', 18 and 18 the part 12 on the locking bar sliding into the opening 19 when the two tubular parts are telescoped.

Vhen the bar is locked, the tubular parts are telescoped as shown in Fig. 2. When it is desired to release the locking bar 12 its end is slid to one side as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 6 to disengage the square tubular parts above described.

20 indicates a loose latch member substantially rectangular in shape having one of its edges bent upwardly as indicated by 20 and provided with a slot near the base as indicated by 20 This member is also provided with two holes 20 as shown. When the bar is locked, this latch member is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 so that the part 12 of the bar and the part 18 of the member on the container both lie in the slot 20. This prevents disengagement of the locking bar from the member 18. 21 indicates a cord which may be passed through the holes 20 and around the locking bar to hold thelatch member in place. WVhen itis desired to unlock the locking bar the member 20 is moved around the square tubular parts in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) until it reaches a position indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 2. When in this position the end of the locking bar may be disengaged from the member 18 and the lid 11 removed.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modi fications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement. may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty in my invention broadly as possible in view of the Prior art.

V] hat I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination With a container having a removable lid; a locking bar extending across the lid of said container, one end of said locltiug bar bcinghingedly attached. to said container; and means TlOl' latching the other end of said locking bar to the opposite Wall of said container, said means including a latch member on the container having a substantially tubular part, and a co-operating tubular part on the locking bar adapted for telescopic engagement with the tubular part on thecontainer.

2. In combination with a container having a removable lid; a locking bar extending across the lid of said container, one end oi said locking bar being hingedly attached to said container; and means for latching the other end of said locking bar to the opposite Wall or said container, said means comprising a part on the container having a tubular part With a slot therein, and a tubular part on the locking bar adapted for telescopic en gagement With the tubular part on the container, the part of said locking bar adjacent the tubular part thereon adapted to lie in the slot in the tubular part on the container when the parts are telescoped.

3. In combination With'a container hav- I moved to position to engage the tubular part.

on the container to hold said tubular parts in telescoped position, and said locking member adapted to be moved to position on the tubular part on the locking bar Where the same is free from the tubular part on the container to permit said tubular parts .to be disengaged. I

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 27 day of January,1928.

FREDERICK J. SPIEGLER. 

